In Greek mythology Ithaca, was the island home and reign of Odysseus, the Greek hero famed for his intellect and cunning. He was the one that created the plan to sack the city of Troy using a giant hollow horse! In the Odyssey, epic poet Homer describes Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan war. Following the fall of Troy, the Greek hero spends about 10 years wandering and travelling before managing to return home, in Ithaca. The journey home for Odysseus and his fellows would be long and full of adventures; Odysseus and his men were blown off-course, towards the land of the Lotus-Eaters, which made them forget about home, they were captivated and escaped by the Cyclop Polyphemus, the enchantress Circe, the sirens and to name a few...

At the same time, Odysseus wife and son, Penelope and Telemachus, had to deal with the men who competed for Penelope’s hand in order to become kings of Ithaka. The story eventually had a happy ending as Odysseus finally finds his way back and returns to his kingdom and to his beloved wife.

Althoug nowadays modern Ithaca generally accepted to be the island described by Homer, the specific location of the island, as described in the Odyssey, was for many years, and still is, a matter for debate. There have been various archeological theories about its exact location. Excavations in Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca and Lefkada have been claimed variously as proof, or dismissed out of hand, about the exact location of the homeland of Odyseus. Also the locals of each of the above Ionian Islands have their own theory! In each of these island, there a few who claim the real Ithaka, the homeland to Odysseus, is definitely their own island!

One recent alternative candidate is Paliki, which may have been an island separated from the rest of Kefalonia… Another one proposes Lefkada as the real Ithaka of the Odyssey, a theory first proposed by Wilhelm Dorpfeld, anarchitect, archaeologist and a pioneer of stratigraphic excavation.

During his life, Dörpfeld worked on various archeological sites around the Mediterranean, including Tiryns and Hisarlik, the site of the legendary city of Troy. Like famous archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, Dörpfeld believed in the historical reality of places mentioned in the works of Homer. He was able to obtain funding to do excavation work in Lefkada, by suggesting that the island was Homer’s Ithaca. In his theory the palace of Odysseus was located west of Nidri, in the bay of Vliho, on the south coast of Lefkada.

One of the strongest argument to support the theory that Lefkada is the Ithaka of the Odyssey, is that, in Homer’s poem, the homeland of Odysseus is described as an island that people can reach by foot. This is the case for Lefkada, since it is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. 

Well, if you join our sailing & walking holiday around the Ionian islands, you will have the chance to walk and explore the islands yourself. 

You can decide for yourself as you walk on Ithaca towards Arethoussa Spring, or sit on the beach at Dexa, where Homer’s hero was left after his ten-year journey home… or as you walk on the southeastern slopes of Mt Skaros, the pleateau of Englouvi of the “pig cave” south of the village Evgiros...

But wherever you go, the simple beauty of the Ionian landscape is perhaps the strongest link to the verses. Deserted coves, translucent waters and white-pebble beaches make it easy to imagine why anyone might sail for a decade just to get back here.

Lefkada, Ithaca and Kefalonia: islands of Ancient Myths and Stunning Beaches

Explore mythical caves, evergreen forests, and beautiful sandy shores

During our sailing & walking adventure, you will have the opportunity to experience the unique nature, culture and history of the small, non-touristy Ionian islands by walking their ancient paths. 

You'll walk at the tips of mountains that offer breathtaking views to the Ionian sea, through traditional villages, byzantine and ancient settlements... and reach virgin beaches, caves, waterfalls to enjoy a refreshing wild swim. The welcoming locals, and rich cultural heritage will fascinate you.

Sail around the islands of the Ionian and…

Relive a part of Homer’s Odyssey!

Find out here what you will experience while sailing & hiking with us for a week…